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Coaches Rank Michigan #5

Can Michigan really live up to lofty preseason hype?

At Big Ten Media Days, Michigan boasted a pair of Heisman Trophy candidates in Mike Hart (right) and Chad Henne.

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• Session 1
• Session 2
• Session 3
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Dog Days

As August nears, the heat is rising on and off the practice field for coaches across the country. Michigan's Lloyd Carr may be one of college football's best but the heat in Ann Arbor is rising with every loss to Ohio State.

Ann Arbor, Mich. (Uncomfortable): Lloyd Carr, one of the most unappreciated coaches in the country, could get the last laugh with a loaded offense and a schedule that brings most of the heavyweight opponents to Michigan Stadium. However, the temperature won't fall in Ann Arbor until Ohio State does.

Buckeyes the blueprint?

I think Michigan is this year's Ohio State. They have arguably the best offense in the country, which includes four possible All-Americans. That's similar or better than what Ohio State had last year.

The Wolverines lost a lot of their defense. The only big differences are that Michigan seems to have better skill players and offensive linemen than last year's Buckeyes. I know Chad Henne is no Troy Smith, but with receivers like (Mario) Manningham and (Adrian) Arrington to throw to he should have a great season. If this is the case, then why aren't the Wolverines rated at least in the top three?

— Ethan in Ann Arbor
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The comparison of this year's Michigan to last year's Ohio State is one that's been repeated throughout the offseason, and appears to be legitimate. However, I'm not sure Michigan has better skill players than Ohio State did unless you're comparing Michigan running back Mike Hart to Ohio State's Antonio Pittman - I'd give you that one.

Mike Hart is definitely one of the best in the Big Ten.

However, I think I'd take Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez as a pair over Manningham and Arrington.

My personal apprehension about Michigan stems from the poor pass defense which was exploited in season-ending losses to Ohio State and Southern California. As you mentioned, that defense is now without CB Leon Hall, DE LaMarr Woodley, DT Alan Branch and LB David Harris, who were all taken in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft.

Can we expect Michigan's defense to be better without them?

However, it did work out when Ohio State lost nine starters - including three first-round draft choices.

Ron English is a sharp defensive coordinator, and there is no reason CB Morgan Trent, S Stevie Brown and DE Tim Jamison can't raise their performance level the way so many Ohio State players did a year ago.

However, they had better do it quickly. Michigan plays Oregon, Notre Dame and Penn State in September. If the defense's problems haven't been ironed out, the Wolverines' national championship hopes could come to a quick end.

That isn't likely, though. We have Michigan fourth in the Rivals.com preseason rankings because of its powerful offense and the fact that most of the Wolverines' marquee games will be played in Ann Arbor.

Michigan #4 in Rivals.com preseason poll

National-championship aspirations are always discussed in Ann Arbor, though not always with as much fervor as this year. The offense is explosive and exciting and the schedule calls for Oregon, Notre Dame, Penn State and Ohio State to visit Michigan Stadium. There are some reasons for apprehension – a rebuilt defense, a new kicker and a road trip to Wisconsin, one of the few teams that can match up with Michigan physically. But overall, the Wolverines are expecting a double-digit victory total and maybe a trip to New Orleans for the BCS national championship game. At the very least, they're counting on reaching the Rose Bowl. Anything less equals disappointment.


Jake Long is a dominant force up front for the Wolverines.

Michigan Schedule
Date	Opponent
Sept. 1	Appalachian State
Sept. 8	Oregon
Sept. 15	Notre Dame
Sept. 22	Penn State
Sept. 29	at Northwestern
Oct. 6	Eastern Michigan
Oct. 13	Purdue
Oct. 20	at Illinois
Oct. 27	Minnesota
Nov. 3	at Michigan State
Nov. 10	at Wisconsin
Nov. 17	Ohio State

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